Aviva Premiership Rugby on BT Sport and ITV

November 24, 2016

11:00

With several crucial Aviva Premiership Rugby clashes scheduled for Round 9 this weekend, it’s never been a better time to keep your eyes trained on your screens as BT Sport and ITV provide another packed weekend of action.

Coverage kicks off at Franklin’s Gardens at 7pm on Friday evening on BT Sport 1 & BT Sport 4K UHD, when Northampton Saints look to continue their climb up the standings if they win against Newcastle Falcons.

After two narrow victories in the league on the bounce, Jim Mallinder’s men are up into the top six, and have not lost on home soil since September in all competitions.

The two clubs have already met in the Anglo-Welsh Cup this season, with Saints running out 24-16 victors at Kingston Park three weeks ago.

Newcastle did however win their most recent Aviva Premiership Rugby encounter with Northampton by a single point in February, ending an 11-game losing run in the league against Saints in the process.

On Sunday, for the second week running, BT Sport have a double-header in store, with both Gloucester Rugby’s trip to Saracens and Harlequins’ clash against the in-form Bath Rugby live from 12.30pm on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD.

Table-topping Saracens have lost just one of their last 15 Aviva Premiership Rugby matches, and have not been beaten in 11 home matches in all competitions since Northampton were victorious at Allianz Park last March.

But the Cherry & Whites shocked Wasps 36-18 last weekend to end a four game winless streak in the league, and they have already beaten Sarries in the Anglo-Welsh Cup this season – securing a 36-32 victory at Kingsholm on 5 November.

Straight after that game concludes, build-up will begin for Harlequins v Bath which kicks off at 3.15pm.

The fireworks are set to fly again at the Twickenham Stoop, and given the last three clashes between the sides have yielded 18 tries and a whopping 182 points, this is one encounter not to be missed.

The Londoners have won their last six home games in all competitions this season but, under Todd Blackadder, Bath have only lost once in eight rounds of Aviva Premiership Rugby – 14-34 at Leicester Tigers.

Bath will also be keen to avenge last season, when Quins achieved an Aviva Premiership Rugby double over the West Country outfit for the first time since 2011-12.

And should you miss out on any of the weekend’s action, BT Sport and ITV will once again be showing highlights throughout the weekend.

Catch every score from Round 9’s opening two days on BT Sport 1 at 9pm on Saturday, while ITV’s highlights hosted by Mark Durden-Smith and David Flatman will be on air on Sunday at 11.45pm (ITV), Monday at 7.00pm (ITV4) and Tuesday at 12.05am (ITV4).

And Rugby Tonight Live will once again provide a midweek insight on Wednesday at 8pm on BT Sport 1.